Police name three hostel fire victims

WELLINGTON: Police have released the names of three men who died in the Loafers Lodge fire in Newtown last week.

The blaze ripped through the hostel early on Tuesday.

Between last Thursday and the weekend, police removed five bodies from the site, but are yet to confirm a final death toll.

A man was arrested last week and charged with two counts of arson — one in relation to a couch fire on the third floor of the hostel the Monday night before the major fire and the second in relation to the blaze set on the building itself.

The first victim named last night was Michael Wahrlich (67), of Wellington.

Earlier yesterday, Cr Tamatha Paul said it was heartbreaking a wellknown identity in the city, ‘‘Mike the Juggler’’, had died in the fire.

His performances had brightened up the day for many who saw him in the central city in the last 30 years, she said.

The Wahrlich family has released a statement through the police.

‘‘The family was devastated to hear that Michael’s life was taken in this terrible tragedy.

‘‘He always enjoyed entertaining the people of Wellington and will be sadly missed by the family and all who knew him.’’

The second victim was Melvin Joseph Parun (64).

Media have reported he was the brother of tennis player Onny Parun, a prominent New Zealand player in the 1970s.

The third man named was Peter Glenn O’Sullivan (64).

All families requested privacy, police said in their statement.

The scene examination at Loafers Lodge had continued yesterday, acting Wellington district commander Inspector Dion Bennett said.

‘‘Police are making good progress covering ground in the building, but it is methodical and deliberate and will take time.’’

The northbound lane of Adelaide Rd remained closed so police could carry out some critical work at the scene.

Three victims had been formally identified, while the formal identification process was continuing for two others, Insp Bennett said. — RNZ